Valencia demands focused approach

20 June 2015 15:47

Colombia midfielder Edwin Valencia has called for focus as his side prepare to face Peru, with progress to the knockout stages of the Copa America at stake.

Valencia and the rest of Jose Pekerman's players kept their hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Brazil on Thursday, which ended in controversy as Neymar was sent off after the final whistle before being banned for the rest of the tournament.

That victory, coupled with Peru beating Venezuela by the same scoreline, ensured all four teams in Group C are locked on three points going into the deciding round.

Valencia was quoted in El Universal as saying: "We expect further improvement. We have had the opportunity to watch Peru's games.

"W e know they are a difficult opponent, with strong and skilled forwards, but I would be wary of the entire Peruvian team and we must be very focused to try to win and go through."

Colombia, who were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Peru in 2011, made a shocking start in their opening match as a team packed with high-profile talents such as Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado were beaten 1-0 by Venezuela.

They improved against Brazil, who beat Peru 2-1 in their opening match, but it was still some way short of the eye-catching displays they had produced at last summer's World Cup.

If they are to add to the solitary Copa America trophy they won on home soil in 2001 they will need to start showing a drastic improvement, starting against Peru on Sunday.

But the Peruvians are no pushovers, given they have veteran Bayern Munich forward Claudio Pizarro in their ranks, and the 36-year-old was already looking forward to the do-or-die clash.

"Colombia? They're a tough opponent, they have a lot of great players like we have," he told La Republica.

"It will be a great match as we battle to reach the quarter-finals."

Source: PA